Green Energy: January 2026

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Headline News:

“One Step Closer To The Compostable EV Battery Of The Future” • Singapore-based startup Flint introduced a “paper battery.” The new, compostable battery aims to elevate the sustainability profile of energy storage systems for EVs, along with other applications, by eliminating toxic materials and supply chain complications. [CleanTechnica]

Biodegradable battery (Courtesy of Flint Labs, cropped)

“China’s BYD Overtakes Tesla As Global EV Leader With 2.26 Million Sales, While Tesla Slips To 1.64 Million” • In 2025, Tesla delivered about 1.64 million vehicles, a 8.6% decrease from 2024 and its second straight annual decline. But China’s BYD surged ahead, selling around 2.26 million battery EVs. Including plugin hybrids, BYD sold 4.6 million cars. [The Tech Portal]
“UK Renewables Hit Record High In 2025” • UK renewables set records in 2025, though electricity generation from gas still rose as coal plants went offline. Nuclear power declined and demand grew, analysis shows. The assessment from climate and energy publication Carbon Brief shows electricity demand rose slightly, after years of declining demand. [Nation.Cymru]
“Donald Trump Illegally Extends Life of the Coal-Fired Craig Unit 1, Driving Up Electricity Bills and Increasing Pollution” • A recent by Grid Strategies shows that forcing Craig Unit 1 to keep running past the date its owners had agreed on will cost about $85 million per year. Colorado and neighboring states will be forced to pay for that. [CleanTechnica]
“Kansas Solar Farm Growth To Explode Over AI” • Some solar industry leaders say Kansas is on the verge of a major shift as developers increasingly look to the state for utility-scale solar projects, despite Kansas historically lagging behind most states in installed solar capacity. In Plains states, solar is emerging as a complement to wind. [Oklahoma Energy Today]

Headline News:

“Wildfires, Floods And Extreme Heat: These Are The Biggest Weather Stories Of 2025” • Devastating wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat events took place during the past year, several resulting in mass fatalities. Experts link some of the worst events to human-amplified climate change. Here are the year’s biggest weather stories. [ABC News]

Water over road (Wes Warren, Unsplash, cropped)

“China’s Biggest Solar Farm Is Changing The Desert, Not Just Making Power” • China is home to the world’s largest group of solar farms, on the Tibetan Plateau. This massive solar cluster can generate nearly 17,000 MW of electricity. While its main job is to produce clean electricity, scientists found it is improving its environment also. [Renewable Affairs]
“Google AI Giving Wrong Information On US EV Tax Credit” • Part of the problem with Google AI is that the answers come in an authoritative way that implies 100% accuracy and infallibility. People think, “Okay, I got the answer,” and move on. But there are a lot of mistakes in the AI answers. And one that could cost a lot is about EV tax credits. [CleanTechnica]
“Trump Administration Orders A Colorado Coal-Fired Power Generator To Stay Open” • The Trump administration has told another coal-fired power facility to remain open. It ordered the owners of the Craig Station unit to keep it running beyond its retirement date at the end of 2025. The plant stopped operating on December 19 because it needs a repair. [ABC News]
“Biggest Obstacle To Care For Creation Is Not Denial But Confusion, Says Evangelical Climate Scientist” • As concerns about climate change increase, the greatest obstacle to action is not denial but confusion over what to do, according to leading climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe, climate ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance. [christiandaily.com]